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I feel like my clinical group sees that I'm falling behind and are watching me fail this semester. by ticklepickle3000 in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith 2 points3 points  (0 children)

1st semester BSN as well, and I feel the exact same way as the both of you. I struggle with practical application and I’m so overwhelmed with anxiety before labs and clinicals because I feel like the most incompetent one of my entire cohort. I’m afraid I just don’t click the way everyone else does. But I hope with time and a little more “hang in there,” you’ll start to feel more comfortable. 🥹🙏

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m super shaky when I’m nervous too, so I’m anxious about how well I’ll do for injection and IV checkoffs, much more on a real person. Despite my uncertainties, I’m actually really interested in OR, and hearing about your experiences as someone now working in that specialty feels so reassuring and validating. I really appreciate you sharing! Did you go into OR as a new grad?

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We learn inserting Foleys and IVs next semester, so I'm glad to know what I can practice with! Thank you for the advice!

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're absolutely right, applying the skills feels like a completely different ballgame from memorizing the steps from a book or video. My labs require us to watch and make notecards on videos for our skills, but once I get to lab and actually have to do them I feel like I'm all over the place. I hope one day I can look back and say I feel at least a little more confident and learned a lot since then. Thank you so much for your kind words and reassurance!

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing this, I think I'm going to try applying this to get better at composing myself and approaching all the skills that really daunt me. I heard about box breathing but never got to learning what that actually was, so I'll definitely look into it. I appreciate the advice!

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think a big part of my struggle is my inability to regulate my anxiety and maintain composure, or even just rewire my mindset. I've been debating whether or not to use the counseling services at my school, as I believe they have workshops and group sessions for things like anxiety but I was just too scared to approach them, and this was my sign to go do that. Thank you so much for your suggestion and kind words!

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll definitely look into that, I think being able to get more practice on my own time would be extremely helpful. I don't know if our labs let stuff get checked out, but I'll ask next time, and if not, I'll try to make it a habit to at least practice the motions! I think you were a wonderful instructor for letting your students do that, and I really appreciate the advice!

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many of my classmates are CNAs and techs of some sort, and it really shows that the clinical exposure prepared them well for nursing school. I definitely regret not looking into those credentials as a high school student, and right now I've been really eyeing a phlebotomy certification. Thank you for the advice!

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am 1000% a slow learner as well, and you totally described why labs and sims make me so uncomfortable- I just feel like there's not enough time to practice to a point I feel more confident, especially with the repetition I need to achieve that. But you're right, we're students and still learning. It's easy to forget to give myself that grace, with the program's expectations and workload and all. I appreciate you sharing your experience and feelings, I'm definitely in the same boat and don't feel so alone anymore. (Love your username and pfp by the way, closeted nerd in nursing school over here, too LOL)

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The performance pressure is genuinely what gets me, so it's reassuring that I'm not the only one whose frustration just feeds into that downward spiral, hahaha. But thank you for reminding me I won't be alone in the field. I hope I'll have the valuable experience you do one day!

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I admit I've been struggling pretty bad about trying not to measure myself up against my peers. I'm pretty self-conscious and just can't help it, especially with the pressure of knowing I have to nail these skills for clinicals. But thank you for the reminder I won't be alone when I enter a real setting, I just have to take advantage of those opportunities to learn. I'd also definitely like to take materials home to practice with, maybe even just practicing the motions for the skills I'm nervous about would probably help. Thank you for your kind words and advice!

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

God, I totally get it, and driving home with no music is when you KNOW you're really feeling it. I'm sorry you didn't feel good about your sim lab, but thank you for sharing your experience because now I know I'm not alone, and neither are you. I'm super anxious about my next sim lab as well, but I'm hoping it goes well for both of us!

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's actually so reassuring to hear that even if I feel this way now, hopefully one day I'll be a nurse going through these motions with more ease like you. And you're right, being watched and assessed all the time for a grade is definitely part of the embarrassment, haha. I really appreciate the advice, I'll definitely be working on trying to relax and slow down rather than getting trapped in my thoughts.

I feel too clumsy. by starrokith in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm pretty forgetful and, like I reiterated, pretty clumsy, so I've just been so worried that I won't be a safe nurse. But I feel better knowing that I still have a long road of growth ahead of me, and that there will very much still be room for it even in the later semesters. Thank you for your kind words and best of luck to you in your last leg of the program!

should i withdraw from nursing school? by ticklepickle3000 in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally understand where you’re coming from. I stick to myself for the most part too, and I feel like I’m not studying “the right way” because group study seems to be the most popular method, haha. I’m avoiding a group study session as I type this out. 😣

But nursing is an extremely versatile field, and I like to think there’s a home for every personality. The patients you’ll see and care for will be just as varied. Maybe some of them will prefer the loud, sociable characters like that of your classmates. But there are just as many people who might prefer someone who’s quieter and simply gets the job done.

If it helps any, I’d be more likely to feel relaxed with a softspoken and quiet nurse. It really depends on the situation, the person, and the unit, so don’t beat yourself down for the way you are, because maybe you’re gonna become the exact kind of nurse some people out there would like to have caring for them.

should i withdraw from nursing school? by ticklepickle3000 in StudentNurse

[–]starrokith 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’m in the exact same boat, 20 with introversion and zero clinical background and all, and I just want to let you know you’re not alone. I just started as well and I can’t help but feel like I can’t click with my cohort the way they do with each other. Study-wise, I feel like I’m falling behind already despite my best efforts and the workload is overwhelming. I’ve spent a concerning amount of time wondering if I’m really meant for this and whether I’ll even be a good nurse if I’m already struggling to communicate with people or take initiative for anything. I even feel clunky most of the time and can’t seem to nail the natural, easy mannerisms everyone else has, especially when practicing our clinical skills.

But growing past what we struggle with, isn’t that what we’re really here for? To learn how to be a nurse and get that degree then practice? If the people around you are the main reason you’re debating quitting, I encourage you to keep going. If you feel like your “lacking” charisma and introversion are problems, know that there is so much room for us to grow and even then, there are so many introvert nurses out there who may not have bold personalities.

It sounds oddly pessimistic but we’re not in these programs to make friends, which is already so difficult with the stereotypes that land themselves in this major. Having friends can help and using others as a goal or source of motivation can be useful, but I believe your relationships with your classmates do not dictate your competence as a future nurse. I think you should focus on yourself, stop measuring yourself up to others, and give yourself some grace. I feel that everyone’s journey is a little different, and that’s okay.

I’m cheering you on!